{
  "id": 9494855,
  "title": "Springboks v Wallabies: ‘We’ll have a game on our hands come Sunday,’ says Vermeulen",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/24/springboks-v-wallabies-well-have-a-game-on-our-hands-come-sunday-says",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-24T05:15:11.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/sport/rugby/springboks-be-at-best-beat-wallabies-vermeulen/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former Springbok enforcer and current assistant coach, Duane Vermeulen, believes that the Boks will have a tough challenge on their hands when facing the fired-up Wallabies in their one-off Test at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday. With the squad recently coming off a grueling four-Test series against the All Blacks, and the coach Rassie Erasmus making significant changes to the starting lineup, Vermeulen warns that it will be difficult for the Boks to get off to a strong start. He notes that the Australians will have closely followed the Boks' performances against the All Blacks, and will be well-prepared for the upcoming clash. Vermeulen further mentions that Australia will have a solid game plan and will utilize their strong poachers and jackals, as well as their distinct scrummaging technique, to pose a significant threat. He also highlights the fact that the Boks will not be facing the Wallabies in a typical manner, especially with Les Kiss leading the team and introducing a new approach to lineouts and mauls. Vermeulen stresses that the Boks must take the match seriously, especially given their upcoming month-long break before the November internationals, and the opportunity it presents for various players to prove their worth ahead of the end-of-year Nations Championship.",
  "summary": "The Springboks are expecting a fired up and well prepared Wallabies side in their one-off Test in Perth on Sunday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}